TCU’s Hughes sets the pace, but several others aren’t far behind. Wes Bunting
The National Football Post breaks down the nation’s top 3-4 rush linebacker prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft.
The Leader
Jerry Hughes, TCU (6-2, 255)
Hughes didn’t get as much attention last season as many other prospects on this list, but he looks like one of the few prospects in the draft capable of making an instant impact off the edge as a rookie. Physically, Hughes is an explosive kid who, despite being only 6-2, shows an ability to consistently play with natural leverage on contact. However, what makes him so tough to block is his balance around the corner and ability to maintain his speed once he drops his shoulder and flattens out along the edge. Plus, he’s one of the more coordinated pass rushers in the draft and has the ability to use his hands and cleanly change directions when working off his initial speed rush. Hughes will likely end up being on all 32 teams’ draft boards as either a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB and has a lot of value rushing the passer from either spot.
The Contenders
Brandon Graham, Michigan (6-1, 268)
Graham could very well be the top 3-4 rush guy on a lot of teams’ draft boards, but -- and this no slap at him -- I just like Hughes a little more. Graham gives you a powerful, sudden pass rusher who has the short-area quickness to slip blocks and the natural leverage to fight his way through contact toward the quarterback. He’s a bit undersized, but like a lot of pass rushers, he can use his natural leverage to his advantage around the edge and is one of the more NFL-ready prospects in this year’s draft.
Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech (6-1, 254)
Quick-twitch explosion is the first thing that jumps out to you about Worilds’ overall game. His ability to fire out of his stance and consistently threaten the corner shows up repeatedly on game tape, and when he’s given the opportunely to line up wide and rush the passer, he’s extremely tough to reach off the edge. He also showcased impressive balance and footwork during linebacker drills at the combine and looked natural when asked to stand up and change directions in space. He’s a bit undersized to be considered an every-down 4-3 DE prospect, but the guy plays as fast, if not faster, than as any other pass rusher in the class and looks like a potential impact 3-4 rush guy because of his first step.
Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 252)
If it wasn’t for Sapp’s history of knee injuries, I could have easily had the guy No. 1 on my list. When I watch him at full strength, he displays the first step, length and lateral quickness to consistently beat blocks on contact and displays impact-caliber pass rush ability. Now, I still think the guy has the ability to start and create pressure of the edge at the next level if he can stay healthy. But I’ve heard from numerous sources that his knee is not where it needs to be, and it could end up holding him back from fully reaching his potential.
Sergio Kindle, Texas (6-3, 250)
As a linear athlete, Kindle might be the best of the bunch. He’s thick, compact and has the explosion to get on top of opposing lineman quickly off the edge. However, when watching him on tape and seeing him at the combine, he just didn’t strike me as a real balanced individual; he has a tendency to get leggy and lose balance when asked to quickly change directions. There’s no denying his physical skill set, and he still can generate a burst off the line. I just think that in order for him to become a big-time 3-4 pass rusher at the next level, he’s going to need to be more than a one-trick pony and develop a counter to his straight-line speed rush.
The off-the-radar guy
Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State (6-2, 243)
One guy to keep an eye on through the draft season is Ohio State’s Gibson. He’s a surprisingly powerful pass rusher for his size and possesses the lateral quickness to cleanly side-step blocks on his pass rush and accelerate toward the quarterback. He’s still raw and needs time to develop, but he’s got a great overall physical skill set, and if the light ever goes on, he’ll be a tough block off the edge in the NFL.
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Hi
Hi Wes,
What about a kid like Daniel Te'o-Nesheim from Washington as a potential sleeper as a 3-4 edge guy? Does his ability/skill set/burst etc. project well to the next level?
Great production in college (30 sacks/47 TFL), showed great short, area quickness and lateral agility/explosion at the combine (6.91 3-cone and 4.18 in the short shuttle) while measuring in at 6-3 263.
Wes,
Any comments about Koa Misi from Utah? From what I am hearing during workouts, he has "looked the part" of a potential 3-4 OLB. His explosion numbers look very promising (38" vert, 10'-7" jump) as does his straight line speed.
Don't know if his solid workouts so far have made you review his tape more closely from college. I'd be curious what the tape is telling you.
Thanks.
Utah had its pro day yesterday and the Raiders were looking at their hybrid end man.
Any concern about the fact that when Hughes had the time to shine (Fiesta Bowl) he was nonexistent?
Looks like there are a lot of "tweener"-types in this draft who will be seen as 34 OLBs. But it takes a couple years for
many of these guys to transition from playing with a hand down to playing in space.
@Mike J: Really? Based on what?
Steelers plugged in LaMarr Woodley from the get, and he's a proto DE to 3-4 OLB conversion. If the guy has it, he's going to transition in year 1.
i would think obrien schofield would get some good looks as well, sure hope he can recover from surgery, the guy was lightning fast off the edge,, miami had no clue in the bowl game,, too bad he got hurt
Finnegans Wake, it has happened many times. Some times it doesn't.But I bet it does more often than not.
Ive been watching the NFL for 50 years.
Finnegans Wake, it has happened many times. Some times it doesn't.But I bet it does more often than not.
Ive been watching the NFL for 50 years.
BTW--Woodley had zero starts as a rookie.
Hi Wes: when I watch Sergio Kindle, I think of Kamerion Wimbley from the Browns. Tons of athletic ability, but not really many pass rushing moves besides his speed rush...Do you agree?
@Finnegans Wake: Lamar Woodley was the substitute of Clark _Haggans as a rookie, and he started to get some playing time with the defense only towards the end of the season...The Steelers often let their rookies (specially on Defense) to "redshirt" one or two years before starting them (if they are ready, of course)
Curtis young 6'1 270 OLB/DE from the university of cincinnati is a sleeper this guy has run a 4.6 fourty bench well over 30 reps runs a 4.19 in short shuttle the guy had knee surgery in the beggining of the season and came back towards the middle and still recorded over 50 tackles 13 tackles for loss and six sacks and played the whole season at about 75 percent .....A BIG TIME SLEEPER
Tebow were asked to and able to throw the ball downfield more and/or their receivers were better able to gain yards after catch because they were hit in stride but McCoy and LeFevour's completions were more of the dink and dunk variety. LeFevour's numbers were also against lesser competition in the MAC.
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Hi